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Written by Chris Carrier, RWC Senior Marketing Director The shortage of plumbers our industry is dealing with has become so serious, it’s making​ headlines in the business world. An article in Bloomberg Businessweek’s March 2024 issue puts​ the problem in a national context: “America’s Plumber Deficit Isn’t Good for the Economy.” The​ article elaborates with a slew of Read more

Written by Chris Carrier, RWC Senior Marketing Director

The shortage of plumbers our industry is dealing with has become so serious, it’s making​ headlines in the business world. An article in Bloomberg Businessweek’s March 2024 issue puts​ the problem in a national context: “America’s Plumber Deficit Isn’t Good for the Economy.” The​ article elaborates with a slew of stats that back up this subheading: “Young people are shunning an occupation that’s physically demanding and sometimes dirty, though well paid.

While the labor shortage isn’t new to those who have been in the industry long, it’s worth exploring the main cause of it and ways to get more people into the trade right now.

Understanding the plumbing recruitment crisis: The age factor

Age plays two roles in the plumber shortage. A large portion of the current plumbing workforce is nearing retirement age, and recruiting young people into plumbing is proving difficult. Although the recruitment pipeline is leaking at both ends, the jobs are there for the taking, with plenty of new opportunities opening. The latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects there will be nearly 43,000 job openings for plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters each year through 2032. These jobs mostly result from the need to replace workers who retire, change occupations or leave the workforce.

Knowing plumbing is one of the steadiest industries, how can plumbing business owners stay staffed with good plumbers? The truth is that it’s going to take some convincing.

Images courtesy of SharkBite Plumbing Solutions.

Repairing the leaky recruitment pipeline through education

If you run a plumbing company, the most concerning consequence of the labor shortage is the challenge of keeping enough good plumbers on your team. In the skilled trades, recruiting hinges on educating recruits. Raising awareness of opportunities is foundational. Many young Americans are simply unaware of the specialty options, job security and earning potential in plumbing. As an industry, we must invest more resources in promoting the plumbing profession. Just ask Mark Brown, a Philadelphia high school plumbing program instructor.

“There are so many people in our country who struggle with finding a suitable career path for them, and I believe it’s due to lack of exposure to career choices such as plumbing,” Brown said. After telling young people an opportunity exists, we need to convince them to explore it. To be persuasive, explain why plumbing is an excellent career option. Then dispel the myths and be open and truthful about the hard parts. Any recruiting efforts—whether joint or solo, online, printed or spoken—should start by selling the benefits, including:

Clint McCannon owns Cannon Plumbing in Braselton, Georgia.

Job security and stability

When you need a plumber, it’s rarely optional. Plumbing is an essential service with consistent demand, providing long-term job security and protection against economic downturns. For example, when the COVID pandemic put millions out of work, plumbers stayed on the job with a steady income.

“I was really nervous when COVID hit,” said Clint McCannon, owner of Cannon Plumbing in Braselton, Georgia. “I didn’t know what was going to happen. Our numbers were up over 35%, and it didn’t slow down. It sped up. Even when the economy is going down, if it’s something they can’t handle on their own, they’re going to call you.”

Given the plumber shortage, it’s highly unlikely that this career benefit will change anytime soon. Even as technological advances disrupt other trades, in plumbing, new technology tends to make the work easier rather than displacing the workers.

High earning potential

Plumbers enjoy competitive wages, and many have opportunities for overtime and bonuses. Their extent varies depending on the employer and specific job role. Even without pursuing overtime or bonuses, plumbers can enjoy a financially rewarding career free from the burden of student debt.

A high school diploma or equivalent is the standard education requirement for starting paid training or trade school. The BLS lists the 2023 median pay at $61,550 per year ($29.59 per hour), up from $60,090 in 2022 ($28.89 per hour), with plumbers at the high end of the spectrum earning a six-figure salary.

Geography greatly influences earnings, with average wages varying by state, based partly on the cost of living. According to Consumer Affairs, Illinois ranks highest with an annual average wage of $88,000, while Arkansas is at the bottom with plumbers earning $47,000 on average. Nationally, the top 10% of wage earners made more than $101,000 annually, and industry wages have been climbing steadily since at least 2012.

Paid training as an apprentice plumber

You don’t need any prior experience to start training to become a plumber, and once you apply for and secure an apprenticeship, it’s paid training on the job. Vocational-technical schools and unpaid pre-apprenticeships are the most common routes people take before getting on-the-job experience.

Choosing a paid plumbing apprenticeship over attending college with an unpaid internship can be a game-changer. With an apprenticeship, you’re earning money from day one while learning a valuable trade, rather than racking up student debt. You earn hands-on experience, real-world problem-solving skills and a direct path to a rewarding career in a high-demand field.

Apprenticeships also provide a structured learning environment where mentors are invested in your success, ensuring you gain both practical knowledge and industry credentials. For anyone looking to build a stable and prosperous future without the financial burden of college, a paid apprenticeship offers a practical and lucrative track.

Leslie McGlenen owns Pipe Wench Plumbing & Heating.

Career advancement opportunities

The plumbing profession also offers clear pathways for advancement, including opportunities to become a well-paid master plumber, start your own business or move into management roles. After finishing a plumbing apprenticeship, career advancement in the U.S. plumbing industry typically follows a structured path.

First, you become a journeyman plumber, gaining more responsibilities and independence. With experience and further certification, you can advance to a master plumber, which opens doors to higher-paying jobs and leadership roles. Any apprentice can become a master in this trade if they’re dedicated, and it pays to work your way up. An HR technology company called PayScale reports that in 2023, the median pay of a master plumber went up to $82,700—a jump of 21% from 2022.

Some plumbers eventually become contractors or specialize in areas like pipefitting, leading to even more career opportunities. Some of the most profitable plumbing businesses are owned or managed by plumbers who started as apprentices. Lesley McGlenen owns and operates Pipe Wench Plumbing & Heating in British Columbia, Canada.

“I got a lot of experience as a young apprentice,” she said. “Most of the time, I was the only apprentice at this company, so I got to work under three skilled journeymen who did different parts of the job. Depending on who I was working under, I learned different techniques.”

Successful franchise owners like Lesley can expand their businesses, creating a comfortable income and good jobs.

Kim Yeagley owns Gold Canyon Plumbing in Gold Canyon, Arizona.

Job satisfaction and community impact

Plumbers play a vital role in maintaining public health and safety. Being an essential part of your community’s workforce provides a sense of pride and fulfillment for those who appreciate making a tangible difference in people’s lives, homes and workplaces.

“When you leave, you’ve fixed their problem, you’ve made their day. That’s a good feeling inside,” said Kim Yeagley, owner of Gold Canyon Plumbing in Gold Canyon, Arizona. Despite the occasional dirty conditions, the satisfaction of solving problems and providing essential services to your community is genuinely rewarding. And like other skilled trades, plumbers take pride in their craftsmanship and enjoy building something from scratch. As a plumber, you can also choose to prioritize family and personal time.

“I don’t live to work. I work to live,” said Russel Sweeney, owner of Sweeney Remodeling and Plumbing in Jacksonville, Florida. “Through the years, I’ve learned that there is a necessity for work-life balance.”

Flushing fears and reconfiguring perceptions of plumbing

While there are many benefits in plumbing, there are still a lot of misconceptions and valid concerns that must be addressed in recruitment, including:

Physical demands

Don’t sugarcoat it. Plumbing is physically strenuous, often involving heavy lifting, strong tool work, awkward positions and repetitive movements. But desk jobs aren’t for everyone either. Plumbing can be a great career fit for people who love working with their hands. Former plumbing apprentice Anna Pearson said an office job just wouldn’t suit her.

“Forty hours out of my life every single week, being stuck in a cubicle, it’s just my actual nightmare,” she said.

Modern equipment helps with the physically challenging aspects. Advancements in technology and tools have made most tasks easier and more efficient than in decades past. For example, push fittings like SharkBite Max make it easy for new plumbers to start repairing and reconfiguring pipes with minimal instruction, performing smaller jobs in just minutes. They also help plumbers get in and out of tight or uncomfortable spaces more quickly so they can put minimal strain on their bodies.

Russel Sweeney owns Sweeney Remodeling and Plumbing in Jacksonville, Florida.

Safety and working conditions

The job sometimes involves working in dirty and confined environments, which can be unappealing or seen as hazardous. Fortunately, plumbers of all types get paid to earn comprehensive safety training through their certifications that prepare them to handle potentially dangerous job site situations safely. Plus, safe working conditions are required by law. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) enforces federally mandated safety standards that plumbing employers must comply with, which apply to both service and commercial plumbers. Employers provide all the necessary protective gear and equipment to ensure safety and comfort on tough jobs, including water-proof gloves, knee pads, safety glasses, hard hats and respirators.

Serious injuries are very rare for plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters. Nonfatal injuries are also exceptionally rare for both residential plumbers and commercial plumbers who work on new builds, even though working in people’s homes is generally considered safer than plumbing on a construction site. In 2022, BLS data shows that out of 865 reported fall injuries, including slips and trips, only 27 involved plumbers (3%). The BLS lumped plumbers in with HVAC contractors. This group had no reported injuries that year from exposures to harmful substances or environments, and no injuries caused by contact with objects or equipment.

Social stigma and perception

The reality is that many college graduates have student debt and still earn less than the plumber they call to fix their toilet, but there’s a strong societal push toward college degrees in high school, leading many young people to overlook the trades as they’re considering a career path. In the absence of hard facts, students often view trades like plumbing as a less prestigious career compared to white-collar jobs.

However, plumbers earn competitive salaries with excellent job security because they’re essential to our homes, businesses and critical infrastructure. Remind recruits that this trade offers opportunities for entrepreneurship and a stable, upward career path, with the added satisfaction of helping people every day. Another perk is that you can live almost anywhere and still have excellent job prospects.

Job security concerns

Some mistakenly perceive plumbing as less stable compared to careers in rapidly growing tech and service sectors where layoffs are actually far more common. Layoffs are very rare in plumbing, even during recessions, and the labor shortage shows that’s unlikely to shift.

“It’s a very recession-proof job,” Sweeney said. Research firm IBISWorld reports that “constant demand keeps direct competition low.” Industry analysts expect a steady demand for plumbing services in new construction, and IBISWorld states that “refurbishment and maintenance of aging plumbing systems have remained steady streams of income for independent plumbers and companies alike. This will not change in the near future.”

If you encounter stability concerns as you do outreach, set the record straight and back it up with facts. The U.S. Department of Labor provides a helpful resource with its Occupational Outlook Handbook for Plumbers, Pipefitters and Steamfitters. This periodically updated handbook answers every question a plumbing recruit is likely to ask.

Training requirements

Extensive apprenticeships and on-the-job training can deter those looking to enter the workforce quickly. Plumbing apprenticeships can indeed last up to 5 years, but they allow you to earn a living while gaining hands-on experience in the field, providing valuable training without the high costs of a traditional degree.

Another option is vocational-technical programs that fast-track your plumbing career, offering practical skills, recognized certifications and employment immediately after graduating.

Mark Brown, a Philadelphia high school plumbing program instructor.

Take advantage of the facts

Whether it’s educational social media videos, partnering with trade schools or hosting open- house demonstrations in your community—whichever format, strategy or platform you choose for your recruiting efforts—take a fact-based approach. Reality is your ally in persuasion. With excellent job prospects and rising pay, it’s a great time to join the plumbing profession, and having the facts on your side can make recruiting a little easier. Take it from Pearson.

“I researched it for a few days, I saw nothing but good things,” the former plumbing apprentice said. “And so, I decided to go ahead and take the plunge.”

In a hydronic system, every installation is an opportunity to improve efficiency. The products you select for the job not only impact the installation of today but the performance of tomorrow. This is especially true when installing a boiler; the components you pair with the unit can mean the difference between a simple installation and Read more

In a hydronic system, every installation is an opportunity to improve efficiency. The products you select for the job not only impact the installation of today but the performance of tomorrow. This is especially true when installing a boiler; the components you pair with the unit can mean the difference between a simple installation and a smarter installation.

Auxiliary boiler accessories range in both form and function. The best products for the job should be designed to save time, space, and labor during installation. They should also provide controls to ease future maintenance and should protect the boiler and system components over time.

With these goals in mind, Webstone has developed the most complete selection of under boiler solutions available today. Its under boiler program is a single source for better installations, with products that also simplify and reduce the number of maintenance callbacks.

The Hydro-Core™ manifold simplifies the installation and service of the primary heating loop. This solution combines closely-spaced tees with isolation valves to achieve hydraulic separation for the heating loops, isolates the components within the loop, and purges the system. A T-Flow ball directs the flow into either the boiler or the drain, which can be configured in a number of ways to assist with purging, filling, and descaling/cleaning. Its compact, forged-brass body replaces up to 17 individual components, eliminates 16 leak paths, and saves over two hours of labor.

To improve overall system performance, the Air Separator uses a unique stainless-steel coalescing medium that captures both microbubbles and static air. The separated air collects in the top of the unit, where it forces a pin-guided float to drop down and open a vent. Once the air is released, the float rises once again and closes the vent. This reduces noise as well as wear on system components caused by trapped air in the pipes. The vertically mounted model is ideal for installing on the boiler outlet, where the air can be separated and vented before it reaches the rest of the system.

To protect the boiler from iron sludge that can accumulate in a hydronic system, consider the Magnetic Boiler Filter. Installed on the system return line, it captures ferrous and non-ferrous debris before it can reach the boiler using a high-powered 12,000 Gauss magnet and plastic filter. The drain makes it simple to remove accumulation, with a strapped cap that can be used to actuate the drain valve. A universal diverter allows the Magnetic Boiler Filter to be used in both horizontal and vertical piping orientations. The service tool is also included to help install and maintain the filter with ease.

Both the vertical mount Air Separator and Magnetic Boiler Filter are outfitted with removable G1 threaded end connections (available in sizes ¾” and 1”, with MIP, FIP, SWT, or Press ends), offering added versatility to any installation. These threads allow the installer to easily add isolation valves for future service, or a temperature gauge to verify boiler output right at the source.

A full-featured under the boiler installation from Webstone requires no more than 22” of space and delivers cleaner, more professional-looking results. Solutions are also available for boilers with external pumps and combi domestic hot water connections from the E-X-P™ Series of Tankless Water Heater Service Valves. To find all of these products and more, visit www.webstonevalves.com.

 

Accessory Provides Unobstructed Sightlines and Optimizes Heater Performance in Occupant Areas Marley Engineered Products (MEP), a leading choice among contractors for comfort heating and ventilation systems, has launched a new accessory for its line of infrared heaters to enhance comfort while providing unobstructed sightlines in occupant spaces. The Agency Listed Recessed Trim Kit enables MEP’s infrared heaters Read more

Accessory Provides Unobstructed Sightlines and Optimizes Heater Performance in Occupant Areas

Marley Engineered Products (MEP), a leading choice among contractors for comfort heating and ventilation systems, has launched a new accessory for its line of infrared heaters to enhance comfort while providing unobstructed sightlines in occupant spaces.

The Agency Listed Recessed Trim Kit enables MEP’s infrared heaters to be recessed completely into a ceiling to reduce the intrusive nature of overhead heating units and improve the aesthetics of any space. From high-end patios and hotel and lobby valet areas to other commercial spaces with overhangs, the accessory allows infrared heat to be used without the consequence of wind or inclement weather adversely affecting the heaters’ ability to provide hidden, comfortable and cozy heating.

“This Trim Kit is designed to provide a clean and finished look to heating installations while optimizing the performance of the heater,” explained Sharon Murphy, Senior Product Manager with Marley Engineered Products. “Providing enhanced heating efficiency, noise reduction, space-saving advantages and an aesthetically pleasing appearance, among other benefits, it is a valuable addition to any commercial building that prioritizes occupant comfort while also providing freeze protection and snow melting.”

Ideal for indoor/outdoor, total or spot-heating use, MEP offers radiant heaters with two-element or three-element designs for flexible sizing and concentrated heat in a single infrared unit. The heaters optimize short-wave infrared heat – which heats objects instead of the air around the heater – through heavy-gauge gold anodized reflectors. These reflectors allow for more than 60 percent of heat to be generated while the heating element itself accounts for the other 40 percent – meaning high-performance heating is matched by energy efficiency.

“Our infrared heaters feature cost-saving benefits and technological advancements that make a huge impact – no matter the application,” added Murphy. “They offer the ease of installation contractors prefer and the warmth and dependability that their customers require to warm icy cold entryways and keep blustery winds at bay.”

To reduce handling and installation times, the Trim Kit package features single-carton packaging and a trim ring installation bracket. The trim ring is offered in a variety of colors to match ceilings and complement a building’s appearance.

To learn more about the Recessed Trim Kit and MEP’s infrared heaters, visit www.marleymep.com.

By Jonathan Simon In plumbing, like many trades, knowledge is often shared plumber-to-plumber in the field. That allows experience to get passed from one generation to the next. But sometimes the information shared doesn’t keep up with new developments or, like a childhood game of “telephone,” gets distorted over time and becomes inaccurate. The result Read more

By Jonathan Simon

In plumbing, like many trades, knowledge is often shared plumber-to-plumber in the field. That allows experience to get passed from one generation to the next. But sometimes the information shared doesn’t keep up with new developments or, like a childhood game of “telephone,” gets distorted over time and becomes inaccurate. The result is the proliferation of “myths” that are accepted as true by some but are provably false. Here are five myths related to CPVC plumbing systems that the FlowGuard Gold® CPVC team has encountered in the field–and the truth behind the myth.

Myth 1: CPVC should be replaced when it shows signs of discoloration

It’s easy to see how some myths get started. A plumber may think that discoloration is an indication of structural weakness, decides the pipe needs to be replaced and passes that “tip” onto a younger plumber.

But older CPVC pipes that show signs of discoloration do not need to be replaced. CPVC naturally becomes more rigid as it ages and may discolor, but these factors do not increase the risk of failure in a properly installed and serviced system. In fact, the pressure-bearing capability of CPVC pipes improves with age, so, by that measure, an older CPVC pipe is actually stronger than it was when first installed.

It is recommended that plumbers use C-style cutters, a wheel cutter, or a fine-tooth saw when servicing older CPVC pipes, but there is no reason to remove the pipe from service due to discoloration. One of CPVC’s strengths is the material’s long service life—some of the first CPVC pipes ever installed back in the 1960s are still in service today–and discoloration is not a reason to shorten that service life.

Myth 2: CPVC is difficult or slow to install

Some myths are rooted in misperceptions and false assumptions while others can be traced to competitors seeking to gain traction in a competitive market. The myth that CPVC is difficult to install falls into the second category.

CPVC plumbing systems are similar to copper in their design. Both are rigid systems that use socket-style fittings in which the pipe fits into the fitting. But CPVC is easier to work with than copper and the solvent welding process used to bond CPVC pipes and fittings is simple, easy to learn and does not require any special tools. CPVC plumbing systems install faster than copper and have installation times that compare favorably to PEX systems.

Independent research studies that measured installation times for CPVC and PEX systems found that CPVC trunk-and-branch systems install up to 17% faster than comparable PEX trunk-and-branch systems. A PEX mini-manifold system installed 10% faster than a CPVC trunk-and-branch system but used 21% more pipe and the added material costs outweighed the time savings. Most plumbers with experience using both materials have reported no noticeable speed difference between CPVC and PEX plumbing systems.

Myth 3: CPVC can’t handle higher pressures and temperatures

A review of material specifications will quickly dispel this myth. Plumbing codes require that domestic water plumbing systems be capable of handling at least 100 psi of pressure at 180°F without ballooning or bursting. FlowGuard Gold pipes and fittings not only meet this requirement but are pressure rated to 400 psi at room temperature and above 200 psi at all temperatures up to 140°F. When subjected to extreme quick-burst testing, a solvent-welded FlowGuard Gold CPVC plumbing system will not typically fail until the system reaches pressures of 1200 psi or higher.

In addition, CPVC isn’t subject to additional temperature and pressure limitations imposed by chlorinated water on other plastic plumbing systems (140° F and 80 psi). That makes CPVC ideal for higher temperature applications such as hot water lines. It can even support legionella mitigation strategies that store water above 140°F. In multi-story buildings, CPVC’s excellent pressure rating enables use of gravity-fed distribution systems and booster pumps that can introduce risks to other plastic plumbing systems.

Myth 4 CPVC is not as sustainable as other plumbing systems

You might expect a plastic piping system like CPVC to be less sustainable than a metal system like copper, but CPVC has excellent sustainability credentials.

FlowGuard Gold CPVC requires less energy to manufacture and produces fewer greenhouse gases over its service life than PEX and copper systems. The material’s long service life, enabled by its chlorine immunity, means less material is ultimately required to support the application. Plus, CPVC is recyclable through proper centers.

FlowGuard Gold CPVC is also the only residential plumbing system certified by Home Innovation Labs National Green Building Standard (NGBS) and has a lifecycle assessment to contribute to LEED certification.

Myth 5: CPVC is more expensive than other plastic plumbing systems

Plumbers who haven’t compared material costs can be forgiven for believing CPVC is one of the more expensive plumbing systems. After all, FlowGuard Gold CPVC is the only material in the industry that offers a warranty that isn’t voided by exposure to chlorinated water, putting it in a class by itself. It doesn’t make sense that it should be less expensive, but it is. According to a cost study done by a leading PEX manufacturer, CPVC material costs were half the cost of their own PEX system.

These savings come from two key areas: fittings and pipe sizing. While a PEX system contains about 30% fewer fittings than a CPVC system, those fittings (and the crimp, cinch or expansion rings that go with them) typically cost 3-5 times more than the comparable CPVC fitting. In addition, because those insert fittings introduce significant pressure drop at ½” diameters, PEX systems are typically upsized to use more 1” and ¾” pipe than required with a CPVC system, saving even more money. You can verify this yourself by comparing PEX and CPVC costs on your next job.

Better Information Leads to Better Service

Plumbers looking to deliver the best service to their customers and grow their business should be careful not to take everything they hear at face value. There are resources available that provide reliable information about plumbing systems, including manufacturer websites. To get more information on CPVC, visit the plumber’s resource center on the FlowGuard Gold website.

Optimal heating system design combines best practices on both sides of the flange. Designing, installing and maintaining perfect loops ensures that we deliver superior comfort, energy efficiency and reliability to our customers. Back by popular demand, Max Rohr welcomes Grundfos industry expert Brent Cunningham from The Perfect Loop training series to discuss hydronic heating systems Read more

Optimal heating system design combines best practices on both sides of the flange. Designing, installing and maintaining perfect loops ensures that we deliver superior comfort, energy efficiency and reliability to our customers. Back by popular demand, Max Rohr welcomes Grundfos industry expert Brent Cunningham from The Perfect Loop training series to discuss hydronic heating systems at the next Coffee with Caleffi™ webinar on Thursday, Oct. 20 in an extended edition from 12 noon – 1:30 p.m. CDT.

Cunningham is Grundfos HVAC OEM Business Development Manager serving as a sales engineer in the commercial and OEM business units. He enjoys cycling, running, skiing and other outdoor activities.

Rohr is Caleffi Education and Industry Engagement Manager leading industry connections with trade associations, committees, industry initiatives and collaborative manufacturer partners. He describes himself as an “energy nerd.”

The monthly educational webinars are free and are intended for engineers, contractors, designers and wholesalers. A Certificate of Attendance is emailed to attendees following the event for continuing education audits.

Please visit our website at www.caleffi.us for schedule details or register here today.